Helsinki IFK got off to a lousy start in the hunt back to the fine room when Gnistan was ahead with 0-2. The Comrades have not won at home since September 2021.
HIFK had hoped that last year’s nightmare season had been left behind and a fresh start with a renovated squad could lift the club back to the country’s highest league.
The new start did not get off to a promising start as promotion competitor Gnistan was better with 2-0 after goals from Luca Weckström and Topi Järvinen.
Weckström scored the lead just before halftime after a weak effort by the HIFK defense. In the second half, the home team had the chance to equalize from the penalty spot – but Sakari Tukiainen lacked anything called clinicality from eleven meters.
Järvinen punctured the match in the final minutes and the Åggelby team was able to grab three heavy points to start the season with.
– A huge disappointment, says Paulus Arajuuri in Ruutu’s interview.
– We played good football in the first half hour. We were aggressive, our pressure worked and everyone followed the game plan. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a reward and the opponent scored.
– The result is a big disappointment considering that our enjoyment of the game was at its peak.
The headwinds also became stronger for HIFK as three players were injured during the match, including the vital attacking piece Tiquinho who was forced to step off already in the 35th minute of the match.
Jaro fell lead-heavy in Seinäjoki
Jaro, who can easily be counted among the top candidates, did not have a dream start to the season.
SJK Akatemia, who are tipped to fight for their place in the men’s top flight this season, surprised Jaro with a 1-0 victory in Seinäjoki after Miro Turunen’s goal in the ninth minute of the match.
Jaro never managed to force a proper finish and the home team completed the shock victory.
Jaro gets another try to open the points balance when the team plays at home in Jakobstad against the newcomers KäPa on Saturday next week.
The football set
SJK Academy–FF Jaro 1–0
HIFK–Gnistan 0–2
The newcomer took a shock score against KuPS in the football league
The football league continued on Friday with league newcomers KTP holding off last year’s league runners-up KuPS and sharing the points after the match ended 0-0 in Kotka.
KuPS, who play under new leadership in the form of Pasi Tuutti, must therefore continue to fight for the opening of the victory account after losing against Inter in the season opener.
Haka and AC Oulu also had to share a point after 2–2 in Valkeakoski.
Haka led the match 2–0, but lost in the second half after AC Oulu’s English new signing Ashley Coffey both reduced and leveled the game.
The football league continues on Saturday with three matches when Ilves–Inter, Honka–SJK and VPS–HJK collide.
The football league
KTP–KuPS 0–0
Haka–AC Oulu 2–2
